Join our Facebook page
Follow us on Twitter
News > Royal Terrace Gardens is finalist in RICS Awards
Royal Terrace Gardens steps at night
4 Jun 2011
Royal Terrace Gardens has been announced as a finalist in the 2011 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Awards South West. The project was included in the Community Benefit shortlist, and was commended by the judges as: “a much valued additional public facility in an important location on the seafront. This scheme was entirely funded by Torbay Council who are to be commended for committing funding to this scheme in difficult times. An impressive outcome.”
Ginkgo led a multidisciplinary design team to restore Royal Terrace Gardens, on the seafront at Torquay back to a vibrant, cultural public space. This ambitious scheme was opened to the public in early October.
After many years of rock falls and neglect Royal Terrace Gardens in Torquay has been transformed into a revitalized visitor destination and cultural attraction for Torbay.
Torbay Council commissioned Ginkgo Projects to lead a team of artists, horticulturists, designers and engineers to respond to the geology, landscape, microclimate and rich cultural associations to recreate a landscape that celebrates the physical, social and cultural richness that is found in Torquay.
The newly restored Gardens were first created in the late 19th century and provided the emerging seaside visiting middle classes with a chance to promenade and enjoy the sea air. However during the mid 20th century the Gardens became overgrown and rock falls became a major hazard. Having fallen into disrepair a sensitive approach was required to develop a contemporary response to restoring public access to provide a new cultural and tourist destination for Torquay that promoted the heritage, cultural associations and the wider Geopark status of Torbay. The original form and layout of the original Gardens was used to create new planting, walling, lighting, works of art and a modular cliff face pathway that restores easy access up the cliff face.